Activin A induces leiomyoma cell proliferation, extracellular matrix (ECM) accumulation and myofibroblastic transformation of myometrial cells via p38 MAPK

Highlights: • Activin A induces accumulation of ECM via the activation of p38 MAPK in HuLM cells. • Activation of p38 MAPK stimulates accumulation of ECM in HuLM cells. • SB202190 attenuates cell proliferation induced by Activin A via inhibit the activation of p38 MAPK in HuLM cells. • SB202190 attenuates deposition of ECM induced by Activin A via inhibit the activation of p38 MAPK in HM cells. • SB202190 interrupts myofibroblast differentiation and functional transformation of mice myometrial cells. The objective of this study was to evaluate the role of Activin A and p38β MAPK-activated signaling in human leiomyoma cells, myometrial cells and mouse myometrial tissues.